Nicholas Peterson UE (abt. 1768 - abt. 1845)

Born about 1768 in Schraalenburgh, New Jersey

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Van Tassell — married 30 May 1809 in Hallowell, Prince Edward, Upper Canada

Descendants

Died about 1845 at about age 77 in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

Biography

Nicholas was born around 1768 near Schraalenburgh in the Hackensack Valley of New Jersey. He moved with his parents behind British lines in New York City during the Revolution and was transported with them to Lower Canada in 1783 and Upper Canada in the spring of 1784. He was deemed an adult that year and listed as a United Empire Loyalist. With his father he was among early pioneers in Hallowell Bay, Prince Edward County, Ontario. He had land there and in Ameliasburgh and lived both places. In 1809 he married Margaret "Peggy" Van Tassel. They had at least eight children. He died probably in 1845.

Footnote

Nicholas was single in 1784 but there is a possibility of a first marriage before 1809.

In an account of early settlers on Hallowell Bay--an interview of Abram Diamond by William Caniff--Nicholas's lot appears to be seven lots from his father. In 1823 he inherited Lot 4 Concession 5 from his father.

In various accounts Nicholas is confused with his uncle Nicholas Peterson-1740 and his cousin Nicholas Peterson-2112. Reid, The Loyalists of Ontario, omits him, both as recipient of a land grant and as the basis for land grants to his children. In fact he was both, receiving his first grant in Sophiasburgh in 1797; at least seven of his eight adult children received grants.

Sources

General Return of Refugee Loyalists Exclusive of Those Quartered and Residing at the Upper Posts. Undated (but about 24 Dec 1783). Haldimand papers, Public Archives, Ottawa, vol. B-166.

Muster at Sorel, Quebec, 2 February 1784, from Haldimand Papers, http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_h1655/103?r=0&s=3 (Abraham: 1 man, 1 woman, 1 boy above 10, 3 girls above 10. Apparently Nicholas, age 16, was not yet counted as an adult, though later designtated as a United Empire Loyalist.)

Return of Disbanded Troops and Loyalists Settled in Township No. 4 (Cataraquie), Mustered 5 October, 1784. Haldimand papers, Public Archives, Ottawa, vol. B-168. (Nicholas "Gone to the Mills at Cataraqui")

http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Info/loyalist_list.php?letter=p

Canniff, W., 1869. History of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Toronto. 672\ pp. http://www.ourroots.ca/.

Notes from an Interview of Abram Diamond by Dr. Wm Canniff, reprinted in Loyalist Trails 2014-39, http://www.uelac.org/Loyalist-Trails/2014/Loyalist-Trails-2014.php?issue=201439

Public Archives of Canada vol. , Upper Canada Land Petitions " Kingston 1790 Vol. 418 No. 85; Kingston 1793 Vol. 418 No. 83, Sophiasburgh 1797 Vol. 400-A #3; Ameliasburgh 1811 Vol. 399 #59.

Marriage Register of Stephen Conger, Hallowell, http://www.archive.org/stream/ontariohistory01ontauoft/ontariohistory01ontauoft_djvu.txt

Footnotes

Children: Abraham Peterson 1811-1860? 1869? m 1841 Sarah Tompkins Sophiasburg

[here?] Susannah Peterson bp 3 May 1813 Hallowell [Picton Meth. Ch.]

Lenah Peterson b ~1815

Nicholas Peterson b 1816 [not mentioned in Abraham’s 1823 will]

Henry Peterson b 1817; m 1. Sarah ___ 2. 1866 Mary Sophrona Van Wicklin;

Hillier (Prince Edward Co.) 1. Abraham W. Peterson b ~1845; Blenheim (Hallowell Tp.) 1. William A. Peterson b ~1853; Blenheim 2. Charles Peterson b 1868; m Sabra ___; Hillier Glaudis (Claudia? Gladys?) Peterson b 1895; Hillier Basil Peterson b 1898; Hillier 2. Ida Peterson 1871 2. Angelina Orella Ethel Peterson 1877-1939 2. Ethel Peterson b ~1878

Daniel Smith Peterson ~1819; m 1841 Mary Parks; Hallowell

Oliver Peterson ~1849; [here?] m Ellen D. "Nancy" Southard; Hallowell [here?] James Anson Peterson b 1897; Hallowell Hiram Peterson 1852-1919; m 1. 1882 Delia Gerow 2. Pennelie ___; Hallowell, Bloomfield 1. Rosie Peterson b ~1885, Hallowell Sarah Peterson ~1856

Abigail Peterson b ~1820

Samuel S. Peterson b ~ 1821 (1851 Hillier, single) (may = Samuel S. Peterson in 1881 m, Marmora & Lake [Hastings N.])

Sarah Ann Peterson bp 1827; m 1844 Samuel Brock Edson; Hillier

Acknowledgments

Nicholas Peterson was a United Empire Loyalist.
UEL Status:Proven
Date: Undated